Get your tickets for Harrow's community panto, 'Beauty And The Beast'

DRAMA, comedy and songs aplenty will be delivered by what promises to be Harrow’s biggest and best community pantomime yet.

DRAMA, comedy and songs aplenty will be delivered by what promises to be Harrow’s biggest and best community pantomime yet.

Talented Harrovians from all walks of life have landed parts in the production of Beauty And The Beast after open auditions were held in September and October to fill 25 roles.

Talented Harrovians from all walks of life have landed parts in the production of Beauty And The Beast after open auditions were held in September and October to fill 25 roles.

Thetwo-hour show has a run of 11 performances between Thursday, December 15, and Friday, December 23, at Elliot Hall at the centre in Uxbridge Road, Hatch End.

Thetwo-hour show has a run of 11 performances between Thursday, December 15, and Friday, December 23, at Elliot Hall at the centre in Uxbridge Road, Hatch End.

It is being produced by a team of West End veterans at the centre’s resident drama groups, Bearfoot Productions.

It is being produced by a team of West End veterans at the centre’s resident drama groups, Bearfoot Productions.

Belleis played by Christina Maunders, of Carmelite Road, Harrow Weald, who works full-time at Kurt Geiger Shoes, but who graduated in musical theatre from the University of Buckinghamshire last summer.

Belleis played by Christina Maunders, of Carmelite Road, Harrow Weald, who works full-time at Kurt Geiger Shoes, but who graduated in musical theatre from the University of Buckinghamshire last summer.

The22-year-old, who is performing in a pantomime for the first time, said: “When I got the role I was quite excited, and my parents have got tickets for the opening and closing nights.

The22-year-old, who is performing in a pantomime for the first time, said: “When I got the role I was quite excited, and my parents have got tickets for the opening and closing nights.

“Rehearsals are going great and everyone’s lovely and so talented.”

“Rehearsals are going great and everyone’s lovely and so talented.”

Sunil Hirani, a 22-year-old student teacher from Edgware, was chosen for the role of Dolly Doughnut, the pantomime dame.

Sunil Hirani, a 22-year-old student teacher from Edgware, was chosen for the role of Dolly Doughnut, the pantomime dame.

Hesaid: “I have done quite a few pantos before at university and I was in the staffroom of my placement school when I saw the pamphlet about the show and read through it.

Hesaid: “I have done quite a few pantos before at university and I was in the staffroom of my placement school when I saw the pamphlet about the show and read through it.

“Ithought I would be too late to audition but luckily the auditions were just two days after I checked the deadline online. When I got there, the main parts were taken and all that was left was the dame. I thought it would be a fun part to play.

“Ithought I would be too late to audition but luckily the auditions were just two days after I checked the deadline online. When I got there, the main parts were taken and all that was left was the dame. I thought it would be a fun part to play.

“Myrole isn’t like any other character. It’s a made up part that isn’t in the original story because you can’t have a panto without a dame.

“Myrole isn’t like any other character. It’s a made up part that isn’t in the original story because you can’t have a panto without a dame.

“It’sa comedic role and I interact with the audience more. I’m in almost every scene and there’s three different costumes. She’s oblivious to what’s going on for most of the time. It’s very slapstick.”

“It’sa comedic role and I interact with the audience more. I’m in almost every scene and there’s three different costumes. She’s oblivious to what’s going on for most of the time. It’s very slapstick.”

Thescript takes the best bits of the Disney animation – arguably the best known version of the story – and melds them with more traditional Christmas pantomime elements such as a full-cast disco medley halfway through, an array of comedic characters and the obligatory groan-worthy humour.

Thescript takes the best bits of the Disney animation – arguably the best known version of the story – and melds them with more traditional Christmas pantomime elements such as a full-cast disco medley halfway through, an array of comedic characters and the obligatory groan-worthy humour.

RachelMiller, of Kenton Lane, Kenton, studied performing arts at Stanmore College up until 2008 and, after becoming a full-time mother to two-year-old son Camron, had been looking for an outlet for her creativity.

RachelMiller, of Kenton Lane, Kenton, studied performing arts at Stanmore College up until 2008 and, after becoming a full-time mother to two-year-old son Camron, had been looking for an outlet for her creativity.

The21-year-old said: “It’s a lot of fun. It’s great opportunity for me. If you love acting and want to play about with it, this is ideal.

The21-year-old said: “It’s a lot of fun. It’s great opportunity for me. If you love acting and want to play about with it, this is ideal.

“Iended up getting the part of Belle but I thought I wouldn’t be able to handle it, learning the lines and so on, with my son being two years old, so they offered me The Rose.

“Iended up getting the part of Belle but I thought I wouldn’t be able to handle it, learning the lines and so on, with my son being two years old, so they offered me The Rose.

“Theyhave made The Rose a person but I actually don’t speak, which I think works really effectively. It’s a lot of movement instead and I have to concentrate on how I’m getting my feelings across and how quickly or slowly I move.”

“Theyhave made The Rose a person but I actually don’t speak, which I think works really effectively. It’s a lot of movement instead and I have to concentrate on how I’m getting my feelings across and how quickly or slowly I move.”

Sheadded: “The panto has all the cheesy lines and over-the-top acting you expect. Everything that people want in a panto will be in our play.”

Sheadded: “The panto has all the cheesy lines and over-the-top acting you expect. Everything that people want in a panto will be in our play.”

Professionalsinger Haris Mos, 23, of Ashford, Middlesex, who stars as the Beast, said: “I’m nervous, happy and excited. It’s a very sad but very funny play and it’s going to be really nice for the kids and grown-ups.

Professionalsinger Haris Mos, 23, of Ashford, Middlesex, who stars as the Beast, said: “I’m nervous, happy and excited. It’s a very sad but very funny play and it’s going to be really nice for the kids and grown-ups.

“Some of the songs are from the Disney film, some are modern pop songs that everyone knows and then there’s Christmas songs.”

“Some of the songs are from the Disney film, some are modern pop songs that everyone knows and then there’s Christmas songs.”

Toget the audience in the Christmas spirit, the theatre will also feature Santa’s grotto and the ushers will be dressed as tin soldiers.

Toget the audience in the Christmas spirit, the theatre will also feature Santa’s grotto and the ushers will be dressed as tin soldiers.

Directorand co-writer Marc Goldstein said: “Harrow Arts Centre wanted us to do a pantomime larger and better than they had done before.

Directorand co-writer Marc Goldstein said: “Harrow Arts Centre wanted us to do a pantomime larger and better than they had done before.

“Wehave been rehearsing since October and it’s going well. We’re trying to get the standards as high as we can and we’ve ended up with a very good project and I’m proud of the cast.

“Wehave been rehearsing since October and it’s going well. We’re trying to get the standards as high as we can and we’ve ended up with a very good project and I’m proud of the cast.

“Everyone who comes to see the panto will be very impressed and have a great experience.”

“Everyone who comes to see the panto will be very impressed and have a great experience.”

l Tickets are £10 adults and £8 children with family deals available. Book at www.harrowarts.com or by calling 020 8416 8989.

l Tickets are £10 adults and £8 children with family deals available. Book at www.harrowarts.com or by calling 020 8416 8989.